ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILL.—Lime Energy and Harrah’s Rincon Resort and Casino announced they have completed an energy efficiency retrofit project that produces significant benefits to the resort and to the environment. The project includes new light emitting diode (LED) technology in elevators, recessed downlights and outdoor signage. Lighting with LED uses about 1/7th to 1/10th the energy of standard lighting and lasts at least 10 times longer, to significantly reduce maintenance costs. In addition to utility bill savings, the permanent reduction of 2 million kilowatt-hours per year in energy use generates the following environmental benefits each year: • Avoids the emission of...

HIGHLAND PARK, ILL.—Hotels and spas looking for low maintenance, high performance and high design air purifiers have not had much of choice until now, according to Steve Tilkin, principal at T2 Site Amenities. Winner of many design awards, the air purifier by LightAir removes practically all airborne impurities including viruses, bacteria, dust, allergens, pet dander, pollen, and mold. Tilkin mentioned that many hotel properties have had poor experiences with other air purfiers that required high maintenance or released ozone. The LightAir product however, requires minimal maintenance. There are no filters to clean or replace. The housekeeping staff just cleans the...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Magnum Energy Solutions LLC (GreenSwitch) as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. GreenSwitch manufactures a wireless in-room energy management system that reduces energy consumption in hospitality guestrooms by 25 percent to 45 percent. The system sets back the HVAC to an energy conserving temperature level when the room is unoccupied. It will also turn off selected lighting and eliminate all vampire power. The system generally has a payback period of less than 18 months. GreenSwitch technology was recently listed in the 2008 DOE Energy Star Building Upgrade...

INDIANAPOLIS—Gilchrist & Soames announces the introduction of its Forest Essentials Collection. The collection, which offers hoteliers and their guests luxurious and eco-friendly toiletry products, will be on display at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York City in booth 2756. The show will be held November 9 to 11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. This collection, which is available now, is the first to use Gilchrist & Soames’ new proprietary Naturally Kind formulations, which contain no sulfates (SLS/SLES), DMDM hydantoin, parabens, phthalates, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA or propylene glycol. They do feature...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes ARTGANiKS.com as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. The women-owned company is a provider of sustainable framed artwork and framed mirrors. The company strives to incorporate recycled components in its framed mirrors and artwork and offers a manufacturing lead time of just three weeks. Designers and architects can earn LEED points for their projects by specifying ARTGANiKS. The company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. For additional information, call (630) 305-8849, e-mail Dan Thomas at dthomas@witc.us, or go to www.ARTGANiKS.com.

NEW YORK—Philips Electronics announced the signing of an exclusive three-year agreement with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Inc. to provide Philips’ latest range of SmartPower energy efficient televisions to Starwood’s 460 properties across North America. The deal, which could be worth up to $100 million with existing opportunities and expected growth, will see industry-leading energy efficient televisions installed in new hotels and existing Starwood properties looking to convert to LCD TV technology for the first time. In what is believed to be the biggest ‘green TV’ deal to date, this agreement is also expected to save the premier global hotel company...

TAMPA, FLA.—Patricia L. Roberts, president of Global PBS, Inc., has been issued a U.S. Patent for a Polymodal Biological Detection System. Besides improving targeted pest detection, it greatly enhances pesticide reduction efforts. A Gainesville, Fla., USDA entomologist is coordinating with scientists and engineers at North Carolina State University on developing Global PBS’ prototype bed bug sensor for the hospitality industry. Global PBS is also planning a rodent sensor for food storage and kitchen areas. Future considerations include mole crickets and grub detection for the turfgrass industry, and spittlebugs, coffee borers, and pine beetles for forestry and agriculture. Many other applications...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—ASTA’s Green Guides for Travel Agents and Suppliers have undergone their first extensive update since the program’s launch in April 2008 to keep up with the ever evolving sustainable travel industry. Among the updated sections are those focusing on ground transportation, accommodations, green resources and marketing. As an added benefit, those who complete the Green Member program and have their Green Member applications approved now receive a customizable press release they can use in promoting their new designation to their local media and community. “There is no better time to become an ASTA Green Member,” said ASTA president...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes RMB Group, LLC as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. RMB Group’s Rest Easy bedbug spray is a green, all-natural spray used to kill and repel bedbugs and other small insects such as dust mites. Rest Easy is ideal for hotels and motels. It is cinnamon scented and includes natural essential oils. Rest Easy is available in up to one-gallon containers. It kills 90 percent of bedbugs within five seconds of contact and the rest within 30 minutes. The product provides a repellency effect for as...

FAIRFIELD, N.J.—As a division of Nouveautes, Inc., Better World Brands will be making its hospitality debut at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in booth 2965. Better World Brands distributes top chocolates from around the world for in-room hospitality and incentive gifts. Besides being among the world’s favorite gourmet brands, those companies that are part of Better World Brands will sponsor various environmental initiatives for a better world. Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate A pioneer in organic and fair trade products, Green & Black’s uses only the very best USDA-certified organic ingredients to make its chocolate. Green & Black’s is the...